Features........ Other Champs to come soon!!!

Bob Crace, Jr. 2007 K-C Raceway Champion

Catch a comprehensive Bob Crace, Jr. story in the next Dirt Modified Magazine

By Scott Wolfe

Bob Crace, Jr. hopes that 2008 will bring him the same success and same winning ability that he has had in the past. That pursuit will begin March 29 (2008), when K-C Raceway opens its gates for the 2008 racing season. The 2007 modified champion is looking forward to defending his crown after a couple off-season's following a 2005 Dirt Track World Championship flip that slowed his progress.

With a new Ellis chassis that he drove to one victory last season all tuned and ready to go, Crace hopes to pick up multiple wins in 2008. "It's getting harder to make these races, let alone win them" noted Crace. "But I think we got our rhythym back last year and the new chassis made a world of difference. Once we went back to the swing-arm design, we started to be more consistent."
"As always, it was great to get another track championship last year. We had just one win though and that wasn't a typical season for us. After having so much success for several years, every "slow" season must be erased by another outstanding season; or at least another track championship."
Since 1990, Crace has dominated modified racing at K-C Raceway near Chillicothe, Ohio and other surrounding tracks in the Tri-State area of Ohio-WV-Ky. Crace won all but three championships at K-C Raceway between 1993 and 2001. The years he did not win, he finished as runner-up in 1997, 1999, 2000. He did not win the championships in 2002 and 2003, because the track did not keep points nor crown a champion. He did, however, post the top single-season mark for victories each year and most likely would have been champ had points been kept.
Not only would Crace like to post some more victores (he has over 120 in his 33-year career), but he would like to see son-in-law Jason Cottrill get into victory lane. "A feature win is a tough thing to get now," laughed Crace, "but maybe we can get Jason a heat win or two. That would be great!"
After the 2005 DTWC flip, Crace used the same car in 2006. "The car wasn't hurt in the flip, but I just couldn't seem to get the car up front every week as in the past. For 2007 we busted out the new "4-bar" Ellis, but I just could not get a good feel for that type of suspension. We switched it over to a swing-arm car and that made all the difference. We were back running up front."
Dad Bob Crace, Sr.is still the engine man and one of the driving forces in younger Crace's career. But at age 74 he has stepped back some and lets Bob do more of the work.
Crace, Jr. says, "Dad is still the engine builder and he keeps it tuned to perfection."
Joining Sr. on the crew is Steve Williams, Todd Moore, cousin John Cuckler (son of the late Danny Cuckler), and son-in-law Jason Cottrill.
"Yeah, Jason drives now, but he is still the muscle man in our crew. He does all the heavy work"
Crace notes that the team still parks in the same place with the same group of racers they have been with for many years--Dave "Fireball" Pinkerton, Donnie Stewart, and good friend and racer Brad McCown.
Crace is sponsored by C-M Racing Equipment, Vulgamore Machine Shop, Graphic Creations, Roop Construction, and Roop's Fireplace Showcase.
According to Crace, he is pleased to have Mike Roop aboard as his sponsor. "Mike is not only a great sponsor, but he is a great racing fan. During the year's (2007) DTWC, Mike (who owns Roop's General Store in Massieville) brought Pizza's for the fans in the VIP Box, plus fed all of my crew. He also was a big help back in the pits all three days."
For the past five years, Crace has been employed at Ricart Ford, but recently went back to work at Kenworth Truck Company, where he worked in the late 1990's. Back at that time, a major lay-off forced Crace to find other work.
Said Crace, "I'm thankful to have a job. But my return to Kenworth has really limited my racing. I work evening shift and have a limited ability to get time off. Any race that is held during the week is difficult to get to. I missed the DTWC and may not get there for the 2008 DTWC. We will just have to wait and see."
"The first 13 years I raced at K-C in the modifieds, the feature line-up was determined by a redraw. Most of the feature wins I had came from mid-pack, so I really had to work for the win and pass some cars. Now, it's even tougher!"
“The level of competition is at a premium,” said Crace. “Our lap times are consistently the same, maybe a fraction faster than they used to be. It’s just that the number of good to very good cars has increased. This modified racing is a tough business today. It’s is tough to just make the feature at K-C.”
Even though Crace always had to do some passing, he stresses that since heat finishes determine starting spots in the feature, that the heat race is "very important".
Crace notes that he spends a good deal of time helping dad Bob with C-M Racing. C-M Racing is still alive at home in the shop and also at the track, supplying racers with all their needs on a weekly basis at K-C. "My work schedule limits my time at the shop, compared to what it used to be. Dad keeps things going though."
C-M Racing stocks a good supply of racing parts and Modified and Hobby Stock tires in both American Racer and Hoosier.
"As my 33 year career kinda slows down, my son-in-law Jason (Cottrill) has jumped into the racing game. He does a nice job on a low budget and I think he will make a great driver. He listens well and lets me do what I think is best on his car."
In this year's DTWC (2007), Cottrill qualified about 60 out of 104 cars, and as Bob puts it "made a good run in the B-main", starting 15th and making a late race pass on Jason Wheatley and Jeremy AMRA star Berwanger to finish 5th.
"Jason loves to race and takes care of his equipment." Crace, Jr. notes that Cottrill has imporoved greatly with every race. No wonder! He has a great teacher.
Bob Crace, Jr. hopes to be around many more years and he feels he can once again be a winner in 2008. His job will be tough, but if anyone can do it, Crace can.
Besides K-C Raceway Bob Crace, Jr. has won at the following tracks:
West Virginia Motor Speedway
Pennsboro
Southern Ohio Raceway
Skyline
Eldora
Brushcreek
Portsmouth Raceway
Lawrenceburg, Indiana

 NABER WINS SECOND K-C RACEWAY CHAMPIONSHIP

Tentatively more in-depth Nick Naber story slated for Flat Out magazine late spring 2008

By Scott Wolfe

            Thirty-three year-old Nick Naber of Cincinnati, Ohio proved once again that he was the number one man in the K-C Raceway sprint car ranks, claiming his second track championship in the 410 sprint cars in 2007. Naber is known for puttin' on a show, and he does it with death-defying style aboard the famed Billy Jarrell #22.                             

 

            In the “hell, yet heaven” world of sprint car racing, Naber has experienced a little bit of both. Since joining Jarrell there has been more heaven. Both hope even more success will come.

                                                                                                                                    "Teaming up with Billy Jarrell has been a big plus for my career. He gives me what I need to be successful and we have become good friends," confirmed the high-flying veteran. "From day-one we thought we could win the K-C championship," asserted Naber. "It's something you set as a goal early. We wanted to get a good start because K-C is a competitive race track."

 

             "K-C is one of the most competitive tracks in the Midwest. Not everyone can handle the high-banks and the speeds. You have several guys you have to beat every week that are as good as anybody; anybody in the nation. The only track that would be better winning a championship at would be Eldora. But I'm thankful that we were able to win the championship at K-C again in 2007."

 

            "You race for a purpose. K-C is our track and I think everyone starts the season hoping they can win races and then the championship. You go out to win races, and ultimately if you win, you put yourself in a position to win those championships."

 

            Naber was admittedly nervous going into the last race of the season where 2006 champion Jimmy Stinson had quickly narrowed the points-race to just eight points going into the feature. "It was kind of nerve-racking," said Naber. "I was confident and I knew what I had to do, but still you know something could go wrong. It was a shame that Jimmy didn’t get to race, but that opened the door for me to drive like a Wildman."

 

             Naber took the points lead early in the year and it was his to win or lose. Stinson saw a mid-season surge rocket him back into the points' race. Stinson had won the dash and cut the lead to eight points, but when he went to push off for the feature the car lost oil pressure. Naber, the 13-year veteran, charged into the top three on championship night, when he jumped the cushion and rode the turn three wall.

 

             Bicycling all the way to the flag stand on the wall and on just two wheels, the #22 came down on all fours. Naber suffered a right flat tire. After tossing on a new tire, Naber went to the tail and began an assault back to the top five proving his worth in the championship race.

 

             "After I won the first race at K-C, I tried to win every race," said Naber. "If you win, it takes care of itself. And, once you win a championship, you want to do it again--and again!" "I would like to race for a living, but at some point I've got to guess that is not going to happen. But, I'm available if someone makes the offer. For now we will race the weekly shows and try to make it to Skyline on Friday and K-C on Saturday."

 

            The Jarrell team utilized a 2005 JEI Chassis in 2007 and a Charlie Fisher engine. Team members are Jerry Vickers, Gary Hall, Nick, Sr.; and J.J. along with sometime help from Gary Gresham, Ken Hess, and Norman Miller. Plans call for a new JEI Chassis in 2008 with a new Fisher engine. As it stands right now, the team hopes to be ready for K-C's opener on March 29, 2008.

 

            Nick is a union electrician, who works in and around Cincinnati. Besides success in racing, he enjoys his family life with wife Melissa, daughter Alexandria (age 14) and Nicholas III (age 5). He cannot express the importance of having a supportive family. He is the son of veteran driver Nick Naber, who was a popular driver in the decade preceding 1979, when he quit at age 29 to raise a family.

 

            Nick remembers Dad taking him to the race shop as a toddler, but remembers little of his racing days. Today, Brother Chris is trying to make a name for himself, running mostly non-winged races in the Cincinnati area. "I like the winged racing best, but I've had success with non-winged racing too. With the wing everything is faster and the speed is so exciting. You have to be perfect! It is the ultimate rush right from the start, and the ride isn't over till the checkered flag falls."

 

             "Running the car wide open with the wing is neat. It's intense and it seems like you are in another speed zone. Without the wing, you have to work the throttle more." At 33, Naber feels he has many good years ahead of him. And admittedly he is a better driver than in the early years.

 

            "I contribute my success to just using my head a little more. Just really learning about what I am driving, getting more familiar with what a sprint car does, and then staying within those limits. Before I tried to make the car do what I wanted it to do. Now, I work with the feel of the car."

 

            "I feel I am smoother, but I have flashbacks every once in a while...of some of those earlier crashes. I still drive hard, but try to stay smooth." Many fans would have to say Naber is still on the "ragged edge" and would dispute any signs of racing conservatively. Yet, young Nick statistically is more consistent and seldom drops out because of the hard crashes. He has a talent that few possess. "I feel that I am a hard-nosed racer, only smarter and wiser," gleamed Naber.

 

            Naber notes he was very unlike rookie driver Aaron Higgins, who he praises for being fast and smooth right from the start. "Aaron did a good job this year. He was more patient than I was starting out. Some guys just have that special knack. Dad said Danny Smith had that same finesse when he started."

 

                                       

Naber compares himself more to a Jac Haudenschild, who in his earlier years had a "Crash and Burn/win" reputation. And Nick notes, “Jac likes the high side too.” For as long Nick Naber is around, racing at K-C Raceway will continue to be exciting. Race fans can count on that. He has found his limits, but still runs "flat out", often well ahead of the rest of the pack.

             

             

......Nick Naber, Sr.

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2007 K-C Hobby Stock Champion Joe Williams

Joe Williams 3rd generation Hobby Stock Champion "Carrying the Torch" By Scott Wolfe

 .......Taking the points championship right down to the wire, Joe Williams beat Justin Poling in head-to-head battle going down the stretch of the 2007 season. As a result, Williams secured the 2007 K-C Raceway Hobby Stock championship.

 

 ......."It meant a lot to be able to give my boy a trophy for his first birthday," smiled Joe Williams. "It also meant carrying on the torch for the family. My Grandpa got into racing and we as a family have been in racing since 1953. He would have been proud to see us win the championship this year."

 

             The last time a Williams from the lineage of racing inovator Murl Williams sat in the cockpit, Joe Williams wasn't even born. President Jimmy Carter was in the White House and unleaded regular gas cost 53 cents a gallon. That seems like centuries ago. Actually, 29 years ago.

 

            .......Dave Williams, Joe's dad ran a Ford Fairlane #33 Hobby Stock back in the early to late seventies. Before that Dave's brother Larry had died in a racing accident at Atomic Speedway. Both were sons of Murl Williams, who enjoyed many, many years as a winning car owner and builder, most of which came in the famed #772.

 

             .......As Joe puts it, "Dad quit in 1978. Right before I was hatched. But while some kids grew up hearing football stories, I grew up hearing racing stories. I grew up in racing. We went every Saturday night."

 

            .......Although it took a little longer than he liked, the likeable Mount Tabor Road resident, made the inevitable come true. Actually, it was bad luck that opened the door to Joe's racing career.

 

             .......Since Joe Williams was in high school, he has been working some sort of job. He got on at the Meade paper plant in Chillicothe early on in his career and has been there through a name change at the plant. For the past several years, he has been working six days a week. His work schedule allowed little time to race, let alone time to build and maintain a race car.

 

             ......."My schedule is sort of backwards of the National Guard. I only get one weekend a month off. Three out of four weeks I'm working. Several times I have raced the feature, then raced straight to work from the track. The night we won, I went to work...a couple hours late, but I got there." Literally, "It was just a matter of time" until Joe Williams climbed into the cockpit. But time it seemed was one of the problems. He worked so much--and the second shift to boot-- that there just wasn't a lot of time. Then Joe got what most people dread--the layoff letter.

 

            .......But for Joe it was a much needed break. "I had been thinking about racing for a long time. The day I got laid off, my buddy said that there was a race car for sale," noted Williams. "It just seemed like the right day and right time. I lost my job and did what made the most sense. I bought a race car."

 

            So, at age 23 Joe Williams was ready to pursue his dream and to add another generation to the list of racing Williams'. Joe had a pretty blue Camaro with a #70 on the side in the early years, then did what was fitting when his Dad unveiled their new machine. They lettered it with the fabled #772, known throughout local racing circles as the number to beat since the inception of the newly built Atomic Speedway in 1953.

 

            .......At first Joe had some spare time, but his time off was short-lived. "I was only laid off a month, so I had to trade around with other guys to get time off to go racing. Racing has always been hard to fit into my work schedule. That's where Dad comes in handy."

 

             ......."Although I know the set ups, I leave that up to Dad. He puts the most time into the race car and we get help from Jay McGuire. I basically take care of the tires and the hauler, but basically it is a 50-50 split. That's why you have a race team, 'cause it takes a team effort."

 

            .......Although the name has changed, Joe now works for NewPage. "NewPage products have become the best known and most respected in the industry based on the quality and consistency of their performance" according to the company brochure and sales literature. With employees like Joe, no wonder. The same quality and detail goes into his race car. And he is a consistent performer.

 

             ......."We have countless hours in the race car. Some nights we have seen the sun rise. We have started working on the car on Friday and watched the sun come up on race day. But to stay on top of things, sometimes that's what it takes." What are Joe's goals? To keep racing as much as possible, but maybe not every week.

 

             "I think we will cut back some this year," said the 3rd generation driver. ......."But as far as how long in life do I want to race? Well, I would like to stay in racing and keep doing it till I am older than (Bud) Frazier. But I don't know if I will live that long! Who knows what the future will bring. If my boy wants to race, then I will be there for him."

 

            ......."If I don't race every week this year, I'm not gonna say that someone else won't be in the #772. It might be there every week." Said Williams, "My plans aren't set in stone, but my wife and I are thinking about building a house. Racing and work restraints could get to be a burden, so we'll just wait and see."

 

            Joe Williams is married to wife Tara and they have a one-year-old son Jack. Joe's championship mount was a Dave Williams' Chassis built around a 1980 Camaro frame. Under the hood is a Woody Lance 400 Chevrolet. The car is sponsored by Randy's Tire, Air Gas, Eastern Avenue Lumber, Three Locks Sand and Gravel, Watkins Body Shop, Ross Auto Parts, and Good Health Chiropractic.

 

            ......."That was the very first car that Dad ever built," asserted Williams. "The first car grandpa built was a #772, so for the first one Dad built, it was only fitting it be that number too."

 

             .......The first #772 back in 1953 was a team effort. "Grandpa (Murl Williams) and some friends shared the finances on the early cars. They all lived on Route 772 so that's where the number came from." Some of Williams' early drivers were Dale Jones, and Don Frank, then later on Williams built the infamous Nash driven by Junior Spencer and later driven by Paul Spencer, Bud Frazier, and Joe Frazier.

 

             .......Friends and family still motivate the Williams team and lend a hand whenever it is needed. Williams expressed his thanks to wife Tara and his whole family for their support. "She enjoys it!" said Williams. Williams also noted that important supporters are his mother, grandma, aunt and uncle Ray Keller, Jeff Hopkins, and Fred Murta.

 

            .......Having lost his uncle in a racing accident Williams confirmed, "I never give it (having an accident) a second thought. I feel safer in a race car than I do in my truck."

 

            .......Williams' first win is one of his proudest moments along with the fact that he is able to carry on the Williams name through his generation at the local races. "I won't pressure him, but if my boy (Jack) wants to race, I will help him." "I always enjoy racing at K-C. I don't care if the track slicks over or if it stays tacky. The wall doesn't scare me and neither does the mud. I just like to race," added the 2007 champ. Besides K-C, Williams races at Jackson, and Oak Hill.

 

            .......Williams describes himself as "patient and smooth" and says he likes to take the car wherever "it feels like it likes to run". One thing that gives Joe nearly as much satisfaction as winning himself is seeing his friends bring home the win.

 

            "Some of my best memories on night's when I didn't win were nights where guys I race against got their first wins. When Tommy (Mossbarger) got his first win, I think I was second and the same when Justin (Poling) got his first win. I was sitting in the infield when Steve Leist got his first win in my old car. All those are special moments."

 

            Have there been any bad moments? "Plenty of them," laughed Joe. "We've had some bad luck, but we have had our share of good. Probably the worst night was when I snapped off three guard rail posts at Jackson (Ohio) on Friday night and busted the front clip. Saturday, we had it fixed and went racing. That was our first year of racing. There have been a few minor scrapes along the way, but nothing major."

 

           

.......Until the dust settles on the 2008 season, Joe Williams will reign as the top dog in K-C's Hobby Stock division. This dog will always carry a big bite and be somewhere close when the checkered flag falls. May the tradition continue

           

 

           

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Jimmy Stinson 2006 K-C Raceway Sprint Car Champion

Expanded story on Jimmy Stinson in latest 2008 issue of Flat Out Magazine

 

By Scott Wolfe

 

                        Twice now (1997, 2006) middle-aged charger Jimmy Stinson has claimed the highly competitive K-C Raceway championship near Chillicothe, Ohio, the old stomping grounds where Stinson grew up as a toddler watching his grandfather Audie Swartz's final races. His Uncle is Late Model Hall of Famer and one of the original WoO Outlaw sprint driver's Charlie Swartz.

            Stinson has over 30 wins to his credit in a somewhat abbreviated career. He has raced with the All-Stars, the World of Outlaws, and the United States Auto Club. He is equally impressive both with a wing and without a wing. He races anywhere and everywhere. He loves Eldora Speedway, but K-C Raceway, his favorite track, is home.

 

            "When you think about 410 Sprint racing at K-C Raceway, it's hard not to think of Jimmy Stinson," said racing journalist T.J. Layne. "He is a charger, and he is an expert at putting the car up on the cushion and riding it to victory lane."

 

             "Winning the championship (1997) at K-C the first time really defined my career, but winning the second time in 2006 was more of a justifiable championship," asserted Stinson. "The first year (1997) I didn't win a feature. That was disappointing, but I guess I had to be consistently good to finish near the front every week. 2006 was more special because we won four races. I felt a little better about that one."

 

             "As a kid I kinda felt like I was a celebrity," laughed Jimmy. "My cousin Audie (the late model chassis builder and Charlie's son) and little Charlie were always hangin' out at the tracks together. I always remembered Atomic announcer Roy Salt calling the line-ups. We used to imitate that. 'Out in the car #84 from Portsmouth, Ohio is Charlie Swartz, Swartz in #84', and so on."

 

            Besides watching his Grandad, Dad (Billy Stinson) and Uncle (Charlie) make memories; Jimmy Stinson has made some good racing memories of his own. Two of his biggest fans are his sons Caleb and Billy, ages five and three. At the races each and every week with their dad, these youngsters no doubt planting seeds for a fourth generation of pure speed. Dad Billy Stinson is the main wrench on son Jimmy's car.

 

            Stinson Concrete is the owner/sponsor of the car which in 2007 was a XXX Revolution Chassis powered by a Charlie Fisher Chevrolet. In 2007 it was pretty much a two-man team. In 2006, Jimmy's second championship season, Gary Woolery helped maintain the car--a 2003 Eagle Chassis with Fisher power. Sponsors are American Precision Manufacturing, Duncan Oil, S&H Nerfs and Bumpers, Ham signs, and Triad Fluid Power/Parker Stores.

 

            Although much of the time he has spent seat time in his own #84 sprinter, Stinson has driven for Rick Ferkel, Billy Jarrell, Harley Huddle/Gil Lauman, G & N Racing, Charlie Brown, Gene Davis, Steve Simon, and Denny Ashworth. When racing his own car, the team races on a limited budget, mainly at the expense of Stinson Concrete, the family business of working concrete on flat residential and commercial pours around the Dayton, Ohio area. There Billy, Jimmy, and brother Brian Stinson--an on-again, off-again late model driver--lead a hard-nosed construction crew of 6-10 employees, who work a daily ten-hour grind.

 

            Stinson started out in a late model from 1990 to 1993, when he started driving the Harold Rowland sprint car after friend Charlie Brown arranged a meeting between the duo. In 1995 Stinson, his dad, and Jerry Hicks, who still contributes to the team, bought their first sprint car. The car was a year-old chassis purchased from Northern Ohio racer Tim Clark. It became the first #84, a time-honored tradition saluting the cars of his uncle (Charlie) and his grandpa, who raced the number 84 and 85. In the middle of the 1996 season, through friend Jamey Miller, Stinson landed the Harley Huddle-Gil Lauman #60 vacated by All-Star Champ Kevin Huntley. It was in this car that Stinson gained confidence.

 

           

Consistent top five finishes piled up, and then consistent top three finishes which led to his first win in 1998. That began a string of wins at several different tracks, however, Stinson's favorite remains K-C Raceway. Stinson had a chance to win the 2007 K-C championship, but his mount suffered a loss in oil pressure after he claimed the dash and points leader Nick Naber went on to claim the crown.

           

 

           

………………………………………..

Delmas Conley 2007 K-C Raceway Champion

 

CHILLICOTHE, OHIO- Veteran race driver and National Dirt Late Model Hall of Famer Delmas Conley of Wheelersburg, Ohio claimed the 2007 K-C Raceway Late Model points championship infine style. And K-C Raceway is a tough place to race, let alone win, especially now since the Dirt Track World Championship has come to the famed high banks. The DTWC has given drivers added incentive to stop by on an off-night to experiment with set-ups for the season-ending “Crown Jewel” and $50,000 pay-off.

 

             This year Conley’s championship was a case of the crafty veteran out-foxing the youthful renegades of the sport in a cat-and-mouse points’ battle that went right down to the last race of the season. Delmas Conley doesn’t like to talk about age. He is a 65-year old veteran “fortunately” trapped in a fit-body that appears some twenty years younger than what the records say.

 

            After 45-years of racing, Delmas Conley hasn’t slowed down, and he gives no indication that he ever will. In fact, Conley occupies his time with a full work day at Conley Trucking which operates out of the home base of Slocum, a compound that also houses Conley Motorsports. Besides working many hours on the job, the patriarch of the famous Conley racing clan, is perhaps Wheelersburg High Schools number one sports fan. He regularly attends all of Wheelersburg’s sporting events, especially the basketball team which earned an Ohio state runner-up trophy in the Division III Ohio State Basketball tournament last spring.

 

            `Proudly, Delmas had an added incentive with grandson J.T. Conley in the line-up. J.T. is the son of Delmas’s son R.J.Conley, another top notch driver along with brother Rod “Hot Rod” Conley. He also loved the football team going undefeated in 2006. Not one to sit back idly, Delmas still gets in on a pick-up game of basketball himself—something he did on a regular basis several years back to stay in shape. Although he may have lost a step or two on the hardwood, he hasn’t lost anything noticeable on the race track. He still likes to ride the rim in flat-footed style and is very exciting to watch.

 

            An unknowing fan would truly believe that a reckless, risk-taking youth was at the wheel, yet Conley fools them all with a touch of risk, and the polish of a veteran. He won several features at the local level this season adding to his over 750 career wins. Delmas Conley is a class-act. He is a gentleman, but the competitive side of him can bring out a little feistiness.

 

             Earlier in the year, two-time champ Jason Montgomery and Conley had a little paint rubbing scuffle after the races. Said Montgomery, “Delmas called and apologized the next day. I thought I had cleared him and he thought I didn’t. Anyway, it’s a done deal. He (Delmas) didn’t have to call me at all, but he did. He’s been known as a clean racer, and he definitely races you hard. The next week we were right back at it. We raced close and hard. That’s why he is a Hall of Famer.”

 

            “If it wasn’t for me seeing Delmas three wheeling around the track several years ago, then I myself may of never been a Dirt Late Model fan,” said racing journalist T.J. Layne. “And several others have that same story. He really turned me on to becoming a racing fan.”

 

            Delmas definitely is defined by his style. He is aggressive and he lets a car work. If it doesn’t work, he bears down and forces the thing around the track and still remains fast. Not many can do that and still be fast. Delmas has won over 750 feature events including the USA 100, Southern 100, Johnny Appleseed Race, and the Cornett Clash.

            He also has won track championships at K-C Raceway, Atomic Speedway, Portsmouth Raceway Park, Southern Ohio Speedway, Beckley Speedway, and Checkered Flag Raceway. He was a series points’ champion with the now defunct Midwest Outlaw Super Series (MOSS) and has run with the All-Star Circuit of Champions and basically every organization in dirt late model racing. His career has outlived many of the organizations and tracks where he once raced.

 

            “I remember one time when I was racing at K-C and I was in the points’ race. In hot laps, I saw the yellow come out and I locked it up pretty good,” said the writer Scott Wolfe. “Delmas nailed me in the back end, and when I went to the pits—maybe he felt sorry for me, I dunno—but Delmas came over and helped me fix my car. He didn’t have to but he brought over the port-a-power and we put it back straight. Delmas is a class act and good friend.

 

            Most of all he is a great race driver.” Says T.J. Layne, “I can tell you, Delmas is one of the friendliest people you will ever talk to in racing. That is why Delmas is a Hall of Famer, he is a first class racer and a first class person.”     

 

            Those sentiments are reflected throughout the pits. In the 1970’s and 1980’s, K-C Raceway (then Atomic Speedway) was known for its classic Conley-Charlie Swartz battles—most on the track, but some off the track. Those were two great race drivers—both Hall of Famers—who both fought equally hard to be number one. Neither were satisfied with second and the memories they made will be long remembered and making quite the noise whenever silence befalls the K-C high-banks.

 

             Maybe more famous than his own namesake is the legacy left in his offspring—R.J. Conley and Rod Conley. That duo along with cousin Chris (yet another Conley) have won nearly every major race north of the Ohio River and a few races South of the mighty Ohio.

 

            R.J. and Rod have been track champions and series champions and on any given night, the odds are that a Conley will pull into victory lane, especially at their home tracks of K-C and Portsmouth. How long will Delmas race! “As long as I’m able, and as long as I am competitive!”

 

            “I feel I can win on any given night,” says Delmas. “I don’t think I’ve lost much. I try to stay in shape and stay sharp, but the competition is so much better these days. Every one is fast and everyone has great equipment.”

 

           

Delmas drives the Cornett Engines/Rocket Chassis/ Conley Trucking #71, Black and White in trim, just like a checkered flag. K-C Raceway is Delmas’ favorite track. Nothing would be more fitting than for this crafty veteran to win the “big one” in front of his hometown fans. Wouldn’t that be a Cinderella story? I wouldn’t count Delmas out.

           

…………………………..

Tommy Mossbarger- K-C Hobby Stock Champion 2006

 Tommy Mossbarger claims K-C Hobby Stock Championship...

 

 By Scott Wolfe

 

Chillicothe, Ohio- It was a 16-year climb, but veteran racer Tommy Mossbarger finally made it to the top of the mountain. Mossbarger of Chillicothe lives a stones throw from K-C Raceway and practically grew up at the track. Mossbarger, now 35 found a little bit of magic to go with years of hard labor in 2006. That paid off with the 2006 K-C Raceway Hobby Stock Championship.

 

             At K-C Hobby Stock racing is a little bit deceiving. It is much more than a hobby and the teams take the trade very seriously. The Hobby Stocks at K-C Raceway are among the best in the country, and a lot of talent sits behind the wheel of the stock appearing cars. In 2006 Tommy Mossbarger was the best of the best.

 

            "Toward the end of the season, I thought I had a shot at the championship, but I knew it would be tough," said Mossbarger. "Justin Poling was right there and I knew that I had to beat him to win. There is a lot of tough competition at K-C Raceway-- Joe Williams, Jamie Adams, Nathan Preston, Steve Leist, the whole group of drivers at K-C are good. There is a lot of competition."

 

            Stepping up his program, Mossbarger purchased a Jamie Adams' Chassis over the 2005-06 winter and dad Tom beefed up the powerplant under the hood. Hard work, years of experience, and the new engine-chassis combination was just want the veteran driver needed. A little good luck along the way didn't hurt either. That was something Tommy just wasn't used to.

 

            Prior to the championship run, Tommy was known as a driver that got the most out of his car; sometimes even a little bit more. No one doubted his driving abilities, but the bad luck bug bit him more than his share of the time. Flat tires, engine failure, occasional wrecks, and untimely cautions were something he had seen all to often. Several leads faded away from him, and he thought the first win may never come. And the start of 2006 seemed just like more of the same.

 

             After rain had claimed the modified and hobby stock features in the season opener at K-C Raceway, double features were set for the following week. Mossbarger had a car that was fast right out of the box. He zoomed to the front, but a puff of steam spewed from under the hood and he set sail for the infield, out of the race.

 

            Somewhat dejected, Tommy grasped ahold of his fast charge to the front and the positives of the first feature event. Actually, the damage wasn't as bad as first thought. The water pump bolts had vibrated loose. Tommy and crew went to work and pushed the car to the starting grid for feature number two.

 

            The sweat and elbow grease, and all the heartbreakers quickly turned to celebration as Mossbarger pulled into victory lane for his first every feature win. "That was probably my greatest moment....that first feature win.          It is something I will never forget."

 

            Tommy Mossbarger has been racing since 1990 as part of a father-son team shared with father Tom. The Mossbarger family has been around racing for many, many years as uncle Roger Mossbarger has been a sprint car campaigner for many years, along with brother Tom.

 

            Tommy attributes much of his success to his family and crew. Wife Betsy is his biggest fan, while Tom has built the engines and helped prepare the cars for Saturday night. Tommy is a truck driver for Double J Trucking out of Franfort, Ohio, thus making time to work on the car a premium. He makes two trips to Atlanta, Georgia each week as part of his cycle and time on the road is tough, especially for a racer.

 

            "When I get in off the truck, we all just jump in and do what needs to be done," asserted Tommy. "Whatever needs done we get it taken care of. Dad has helped a lot, but my crew plays a big role in getting us to the track on Saturday night. If it wasn't for them I would be here (able to race)."

 

            Crew members are Dad Tom, sister Virginia Mossbarger and her boyfriend Allen Stewart, John Easterday, Brian McQuay, Betsy Mossbarger, and friend Johna and boyfriend John Stulley. Each has a role in the success of the team. Sponsors for the team are the Hiawatha Inn in Chillicothe, Crosscreek Excavating , M and M transport, Michelle Rout, Attorney at Law; Coyote Karoke, Craig Clark Trucking and Barker's Auto and Towing.

 

            About the championship, Mossbarger said, "That was the greatest feeling I had ever had. I can't really describe in words how that felt. We are were just so excited. It was a pretty emotional time."

 

            When asked at what point did he felt like he could win the championship, Mossbarger replied, "I never really did have that feeling. I just sort of took one race at a time. Justin was real tough. Finally, at one point I just kinda told myself that I wanted to win it for Dad. That gave me a little more determination. He was in rehab for his leg at the time and for me that made it more of a determination type deal. And things finally worked out."

 

            "Going into that last race, I was really hoping that I could do it. I knew we had a good car, so winning (the championship) was up to me." Mossbarger won both the season championship race and the points championship all in one glaring blow. He left without a doubt, who the best driver was in 2006 by going out and taking care of business. Plans for 2007 include fine tuning the Adams Chassis and installing a Roger Mossbarger Power Plant. The main goal is "to win another championship."

            Tommy would like to thank all the fans for their support and thank everyone who stuck with him over the years. Finally, at the top of the mountain, Tommy Mossbarger is looking down the peak at another year of competition. And his goal is defend his crown. But for now he is on top and enjoying every minute of it.

……………………………………………………………………..

 

Jason Montgomery-Two-time K-C Late Model Champ

 

Jason Montgomery 2006 K-C Raceway Champion

 

 By Scott Wolfe

 

Printed by permission of the Author as story appeared in Dirt Late Model Magazine (Suscribe to DLM now-- http://www.mompub.com/DLM/dlm.html )

 

            Winning one championship defines a season. Winning a second championship helps define a career. The career of Jason Montgomery,the Jackson, Ohio native and 2005-2006 K-C Raceway champion, is a work in progress. One defining moment he hopes for is bringing home the top prize in this year's Dirt Track World Championship. Entering the Dirt Track World Championship, Montgomery hopes to have something to offer the nation's best drivers.

 

            Disgusted with last year's effort, Montgomery vows to have a better showing as he represents his home track in the 26th edition of the DTWC. "Last year, I had a good set of warm-up laps. We had new rubber on for time trials and when I ran it hard down into three (turn three) the right rear let go. It was hard to explain, but that killed my chances," said Montgomery, shaking his head in disbelief. "I wanted to make a good showing, but we had to start everything at the back. When you race with these guys, that (winning) is just not going to happen."

 

            But coming from behind is something Montgomery is used to. Unlike last season when he led the point’s standings from the get-go, Montgomery had to battle early points leader Kenny Christy, Ashland, KY for nearly the entire season. Montgomery trailed by 15 points, cut it to seven, then fell back to 12 points before making a final run at Christy three-quarters of the way through the season.

 

            "I think what won the championship for me," smiled Montgomery, "is when I made the World of Outlaw show toward the end of the season and Kenny didn't. We had some great races. It was a good rivalry, but that was the difference."

 

            Of course, coming from 20th to first in an early August race didn't hurt either. For the second week in a row, Montgomery-- who had started in the front two rows on consecutive weeks-- was involved in an accident. As part of the no-stop rule he had to go to the tail. The previous week, Montgomery had charged from 19th to fourth, then followed up with a 20th to first victory that helped seal his 2006 campaign.

 

            Even the best plans go awry, or so goes the saying. “I had planned on going to some of the bigger races and not running for points this season,” noted Montgomery. “But several of the big shows we planned on hitting early were rained out, or something would come up and we always ended up at K-C. The next thing you knew we were near the top in points and running for another championship.”

 

            Montgomery nearly found himself in a dilemma, but just like the other things that fell into place for the talented hot shoe in 2006 this worked out as well. Originally, K-C Raceway had a race date slated for August 19, 2006, the same date that Jason took his nuptials with newlywed wife Amber. Late in the spring, the race was moved to August 17 for NASCAR night and the wedding was on. Happily married, Jason assures that he would sacrifice racing for his love.

 

            The veteran charger also noted that wife Amber is very supportive and his number one fan. They have been together now since 2003, so she knows the rigors of being a race car driver’s wife. There was a time when racing was the only thing. Montgomery’s competitive nature emerged at an early age. Learning to ride a bicycle not too long out of diapers, he progressed to motorcycles and began racing competitively at age four.

 

             Motorcycles and motocross racing were Jason’s life. Except for a brief stint at high school wrestling and competitive weight lifting, the rest of the Jackson Ironman’s time was spent racing bikes and preparing for the next race. There wasn’t much time for anything else. Jason progressed to Modifieds (1995) and onto the late models in 1998.

 

            During that time there was a long growing curve that has now been polished into a shining gem. When Jason Montgomery pulls into the pits, competitors shrink and fans go on the alert for what they know will be an exciting evening. Whether he wins or loses, his “pedal to the metal”, flat-foot style always gets attention. In 2006, Montgomery had nine fast times at various tracks, several dash wins, several heat wins, and four feature wins. It was consistency, however, that made Montgomery champ.

 

            He has six thirds, five seconds, and with the exception of three sanctioned races and four DNS he has been a solid top-ten finisher. Besides his championships and feature wins, setting and holding the Eastbay Speedway track record during Florida Speedweeks in 2003 is one of his proudest moments. Montgomery credits much of his success to Rocket Chassis’s and Rocket Chassis builder/owner Mark Richards.

 

            “Mark definitely straightened me out as a driver. He gave me some tips at West Virginia Motor Speedway one night and ever since I made the adjustments, I’ve been competitive.” Sponsorship on the Wasserbeck Racing Engines/Wasserbeck Speed Shop/Rocket #21 are Torco Fuels, Gress Oil, and Montgomery Machine and Fabrication.

 

            “I would love to win the Dirt Track World Championship in front of my hometown fans, but first of all I need to make the race. I will have to take first things, first. If we make it, then—the way things have fallen into place this season—well, who knows. Anything is possible.” If anyone can come from the back, it is Jason Montgomery. If he doesn’t win, at least he will be putting on a show. http://lucasdirt.com/drivers_j_montgomery.htm

 

Aaron Higgins 2006 Mod Champ

By Julie Billings...........Reprinted with permission from Julie Billings

When most teenagers turn 16, their time is spent learning to drive and securing a driver's
license.
Not so for Aaron Higgins, who at 16 years of age, claimed the 2006 K-C Raceway modified
championship.
Higgins is in his seventh year of racing overall and third in a modified race car. He began
racing go karts at the age of nine and moved to modifieds at the age of 14. The 2006 points
championship at K-C Raceway is actually his second career championship. While running the
go kart circuit, Higgins won the Gold Plate Division at Wheelersburg Raceway.
On Saturday, August 28, Higgins signed in at K-C Raceway and set fast time among 35
modifieds present for the American Motor Racing Association (AMRA) Road Warriors race. The
AMRA is a national sanctioning body based in Mt. Alto, W. Va., which sanctions Open Wheel
Modified auto racing in the United States. AMRA race tracks are primarily dirt and range in size
from 1/4 to 5/8 mile.
After setting fast time, Higgins was on the pole for his heat race. He went on to win his
heat race and grabbed the pole for the feature. He led the first four laps of the 30-lap race,
eventually finishing the race in fifth place after battling with many experienced racers.
"I was excited about that," said Higgins referring to the points championship. "But I was a
little disappointed because I started pole, it was the final race, and I ended up getting fifth. I
wasn't really thinking about it (the points chase) during the race."
Higgins won the track championship by 31 points, after going into the final race of the
season with a 12 point lead.
"We're happy," said Aaron's father, Mitch.
Longtime racer Bud Frazier, 72, who was the K-C Raceway 1997 modified points
champion, finished second in the points race behind Higgins.
Higgins wasn't really planning to race for points when he began the 2006 season at K-C,
because running a points race restricts the driver from competing at other races. Too many
points would be lost by missing races to compete at other tracks. About halfway through the
season, they had a good lead and Higgins said they decided to stick with the points chase,
especially since it was a local track with local sponsors.
"We weren't going to run for points. We didn't want to get caught up in the whole being
there every week and making sure we did good. It is kind of hard to miss a race and win the
points. But we were leading and we just decided to go ahead and run it."
Higgins' talent has been noticed by K-C Raceway Media Relations Director Scott Wolfe,
who had nothing but praise for the young driver.
"Aaron has a natural talent as a race car driver. Sometimes you see drivers, drivers of all
ages, but especially young drivers reveal their rookie stripes; however, Aaron was fast and
smooth right out of the gate. Also, you see drivers that have raced for years that have not had
the success that Aaron has had," said Wolfe.
"What impresses me most is that he doesn't back down — not for anyone! At the AMRA
Road Warriors race, both Louis Krushansky and Kenny Johnson planted their noses hard into
Aaron's line on the track and he did not yield. He held his ground, kept his line and was not
intimidated. At one point they both passed him and he came right back and regained his
position. Those guys have raced for over 20 years. They were rookies before Aaron was born."
Even though he competed for points at K-C Raceway this year, Higgins raced at many
other tracks, including Brushcreek Motorsports Complex near Peebles, Eldora Speedway in
Rossburg, Skyline near Athens, Rocky Top at Coal Grove, Portsmouth Raceway Park, Paducah
International Speedway, Ky., and Oglethorpe Speedway Park, Ga.
"Many times we raced Friday nights and Saturday nights, and that is tough," said Mitch.
"You get home at 1 or 2 in the morning. Then you have to get up and start washing the car,
change the oil, fix any dents and broken parts, and grease it."
For one person to do the maintenance on Aaron's car, Mitch estimated that it would take
20 hours.
"Not everybody does this, but if you are going to be successful you need to do it," Mitch
said, referring to keeping the car in tip-top shape. "I've been to a lot of chassis seminars and
Aaron has been to driving school in Arkansas. The consistent message we hear is that races are
won in the garage. You have to know every bolt is tight, every joint is lubricated, and that the
car is in top-notch condition."
Now the task at hand is to get his car ready for the modified portion of the Late Model Dirt
Track World Championship, which will be held at K-C Raceway Oct. 19-21. Being the points
winner has given Higgins a guaranteed spot in the modified portion of the Dirt Track World
Championship.
Higgins destroyed his car in a race at Eldora the Sunday before Labor Day. He was not
hurt, but the family had to purchase a new chassis for the car and were working to get it back
together before the DTWC.
"There were two guys in front of me and they got into each other. One went up and hit the
wall and then rolled down in front of me. I thought I cleared them, but his nose hit my right rear
and turned me sideways. Then my left rear (tire) blew and it caught and sent me up," said
Aaron, who ended up flipping two-and-a-half times.
Aaron is looking towards the 2007 season with anticipation as he looks to make the jump
to another level.
"At one point it was sprint cars, but I don't know now. We had all of our stuff on the other
car, and then I wrecked it, so we had to go buy a new chassis. I think it depends on what
sponsors we get," said Aaron.
If indeed the move is to sprint cars, Higgins would like to race on the World of Outlaws
circuit.
"I think a sprint car might be easier to drive than a modified. It is so much shorter and you
have a lot more tire. You have a lot more power and it weighs less, but I think you could use
that to your advantage," said Aaron. "You could throttle control and make your back end come
around if you want to. I think it will be easier, but it might not be. Hopefully I will get to find out
next year."
While in the process of securing sponsors, Aaron and Mitch have also discussed making
the jump to asphalt, because he will need to do that at some point if he wants to race
professionally. Making it to the Nextel Cup would be Aaron's ultimate dream.
"Some professional racing teams suggest getting on asphalt now. Others say we can wait a
little while. There isn't a right answer," said Mitch.
Advantages for Aaron are being a young driver with a building fan base and a points
championship under his belt.
"Aaron is racy, keeps his cool, and most of all he can flat out handle a race car. I think
Aaron has a lot of talent, as much as any young driver I have seen. I have been going to races
since I was six months old and raced competitively for 25 years. Aaron has the talent to go
places. If he is going to make a move to the big time, he has to make a move soon and have a
calculated plan in order," said Wolfe. "But if anyone can do it he can. He certainly has impressed
me. To win a championship at K-C is a big deal. On a weekly basis you don't find any better
cars and drivers in the country. And the high banks at K-C and the high speeds that you
maintain there are a challenge in themselves. On any given night, you have 20 drivers that are
capable of winning.
"I guess the coach in me is coming out now, " laughed Wolfe. "But my thoughts to Aaron
are — when you make the jump to another level, don't try to do too much too quick. Race and
learn and don't change the formula that has hurdled you to the top. Just study, learn, and
remain focused. The wins and a bright future are going to come."
Of all the aspects of racing, Aaron says he enjoys winning the most.
"There's a lot of a adrenaline. You are just two or three feet from a guy, passing him,
knowing when to slide up, it is just a rush. No one my age at my school does it, so I am kind of
original I guess," said Aaron, who feels his early start in racing gives him an advantage.
"Experience makes you a good driver."
Wolfe also sees other reasons why Higgins is a good driver.
"One observance I made was that Aaron has been able to distinguish between being a race
driver and still being a kid. He is able to be serious and focused on the track, yet be able to
walk through the stands between the races and just be Aaron. I have never seen him panic. He
has been in some jams, but driven out of them like a veteran," said Wolfe.
"I have seen other youngsters tabbed rising stars that had the talent, but the pressures of
racing and having success just overwhelmed them. They could not handle the pressure.
Everyone wanted to be a Jeff Gordon, once Jeff hit the sprint car scene at age 13. Not many were
able to make it, but I think that if Aaron really wants to — if he wants to make the sacrifice —
that he can do it with much success."
The Higgins family expressed thanks to Aaron's sponsors and to everyone who came out
and supported him and K-C Raceway during the 2006 season.

Jimmy Stinson "MAD" !!!
By Jimmy Stinson's Mom
It was August 1969, KC was having a big champion chip race on a Saturday night. Jimmy
Stinson was two weeks old and his Granddad , Audie Swartz was going to race in it.This
would be the first of many races that baby Jimmy would attend, as not only his Granddad
was a racer, so was his father Billy Stinson and his uncle Charlie Swartz.

It was a beautiful warm August evening and the excitement was
energized to the point all the energize rabbits were there. As the
feature began, it was fast and furious, as car after car moved in
and out, back and forth, people were standing, and it was hair tingling.
As my dad, took over the lead, we were on our feet, jumping up and down.
Baby Jimmy was sleeping peacefully and that's when it happened !!!
Somehow, unbeknown to me, his little seat fell off the bleacher and
he got his little head bumped. As I picked him up to check him out,
he was ok, but I looked into his little eyes, and he looked into mine,
he had the maddest look I've ever seen. He commenced to screaming,
and I swear, if he could've got out of that little seat he was strapped in,
I believe he would have whipped me all over that track. Well, dad went
on to win the race and a big trophy, Jimmy was still mad at me, so his
Granddad, gave him the big trophy and he went back to sleep.
Strangest thing though, after that bump on the head, he was never the same !!!!
BY:Jimmy Stinson's Mom

"I grew up with Jackie and his brother Johnny. Dad and Don Hewitt
were best friends," Says Marlene aka Jimmy Stinson's mom.
She refers to her famous Dad, the elder Audie Swartz and Don,
Don Hewitt. Both were racing greats of their day. Continued Marlene,
"Their (the Hewitt's) mother and our mother used to fix the best fried
chicken dinners for us at Eldora years ago. Unfortunately Don and
Jake along with my Mother are gone now. They were the best people
and soooo much fun." Today Jimmy Stinson and Jack Hewitt live only
a few miles apart. If you haven't figured it out, Marlene's brother was
also famous--The multi-talented Charlie Swartz, father to car builder
Audie Swartz (named after his grandpa Audie) Racing-Indeed a family
sport--even in the year 2006! Above are Jack Hewitt and Jimmy Stinson.
Late model chaufer Brian Stinson is another Stinson offspring.

I would like to thank Julie Billings of the Waverly News Watchman
for contributing the following stories and pictures

KENNY JOHNSON 

Kenny Johnson was the man of the night when K-C Raceway opened up with a
stop along the American Motor Racing Association's (AMRA) Modified Road
Warrior tour on April 17.
Johnson, who hails from South Parkersburg, W. Va., took the checkered
flag in the "Eye Opener 30". The 46 entrants had been trimmed to 24 for
the race. Johnson took the lead after lap 14 and never looked back.
Johnson started the feature in fifth, as Doug Adkins and Jess Hartman
paced the field to the green flag. Johnson quickly moved into the fourth
spot with cautions on laps 9 and 12 benefiting him more as he moved into
second behind Adkins.
The yellow flag came out again on lap 14, when Dave McWilliams blew an
engine and spun out. Several drivers got into the tangle and Johnson took
advantage when Adkins went down with a flat.
Johnson restarted in the front and quickly stretched his lead to a five
car advantage. On lap 21, caution was issued again. Johnson was chased for
second right after the caution, but then pulled ahead again. The final
caution came on lap 28 would be the final yellow of the event. Johnson
never looked back, as he took the checkered flag. The win was Johnson's
second in two nights, as he was also victorious in Friday night's AMRA
Modified feature at Skyline Speedway.
Johnson, who has been racing 20 years, is an experienced driver who has
been running modifieds since 2000. In 2000, he finished the year as the
AMRA champion. In 2001 he was the Road Warrior champion and in 2003 he
finished third in the series. He ran late models before that time.
Johnson enjoys every bit of his sport.
"I love every aspect. Working on the car brings me as much enjoyment as
driving," said Johnson.
"As for driving, I love the racing competition. If I win by a half-lap,
I'm happy, but if I can win racing door-to-door with someone and thrilling
the fans, it's a real rush."
He also says that he enjoys racing between the southern Ohio hills at K-C
Raceway.
"I love this track. It is the 'pedal-to-the-metal' kind. You can run wide
open all of the time," said Johnson. "I don't have a favorite track. I
just don't get to come here enough."
During his pre-race interview, it was obvious that he wasn't pleased with
his performance last season.
Johnson said, "I set the fast time last year, but qualifying
doesn't pay anything. I want that feature win."
When he isn't driving a race car, Johnson is a mechanical designer,
specifically a computer aided draftsman.
"I think the car takes up an addition 30 hours per week easily. I
work on it every weekend in the off-season and save up money to buy
things," said Johnson.
The race at K-C was his fourth race of the year.
He said, "Last year I ran 57 times. I will run as much as I can run.
Money and breakdowns are my considerations."
Johnson has no intentions of quitting his sport anytime soon. "They'll
probably have to bury me. I'd like to get back to late models. They're
faster. They pay more, but they also cost more. I go where the money is."


VIC VANDERGRIFT

Vic Vandergrift was one of 24 drivers who made it into the "Eye
Opener 30" on opening night during the American Motor Racing Association's
(ARMA) Modified Road Warrior Tour at K-C Raceway several weeks ago.
Vandergrift, driver of the #5 car, has been racing for 19 years.
Specifically, he has been racing modified for 12 years.
Racing runs in Vandergrift's family.He said, "My dad (Ralph) was a drag
racer. I've always loved racing. I just picked a different form."
Vandergrift ran the AMRA Road Warrior series all last year and finished
10th in points. He plans to run it all this year.
According to Vandergrift, the races average 50 to 60 cars per event.
"The local guys come to the local tracks; then there are about 20 who
follow the series. It gets bigger every year," said Vandergrift. "They
keep the competition under control, so we know what to expect when we get
to a track."
Vandergrift himself hails from Fairmont, W. Va. Besides driving a race
car, he runs a transmission shop in Fairmont.
Vandergrift had won the previous Saturday at The Rock in Cumberland,
Maryland. He raced earlier in the year in Florida at East Bay, but he said
he didn't do very well. He also raced in Kentucky a month ago.
"This is my fourth year building a race car," said Vandergrift. "I raced
here (K-C Raceway) last year. I'm trying to get to 16 to 18 races. It is a
good bit for a series to follow. I run other places when I'm not on the
series. The I-79 racetrack near my home shut down."
Todd Buckholder, the owner of Hassy Chassis, is Vandergrift's
major sponsor. Working on the car takes about 10 hours out of his personal
time. His crew handles the bulk of the work.

Vandergrift says he plans to race until his wife tells him to stop.
According to Vandergrift, she still enjoys it. Vandergrift and his wife
Rose have three children: Eric, 20, C.J., 17, and Nicole, 11.
He said, "I enjoy the competition and meeting people. I just love to get
on the track and go."
Fortune was not with Vandergrift during his night at K-C Raceway. He
finished 21st out of 24 cars as there were several cautions for him.

Crocker: Daytona no longer a

dream

By Erin Crocker, from NASCAR.COM
February 15, 2006

Erin Crocker is stepping up a program that she hopes one day will land
her in a full-time Nextel Cup ride by driving in the Busch, Truck and ARCA
series for Ray Evernham Motorsports. The youngest of five children, Crocker
will share with readers the ups and downs of her life on and off the track through
NASCAR.COM 's David Newton.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Watching my truck hauler pull into Daytona International
Speedway last week with Cheerios, Betty Crocker and my name all over it, and with
this picture-perfect Daytona USA sign in the background, it was one of those moments
I had to stop and let it sink in.
It's kind of hard to take in everything that is happening to me when you're so caught
up in driving. But sometimes, like when you go through the tunnel to the track early
in the morning, it's like, "Wow, I'm here to race.''
I came to Daytona a number of times with my family when I was growing up, but I
never could have dreamed that I actually would be here as a driver.
Ray Evernham has given me a lot of advice. He's been a great mentor. He really
believes in me. He spots for me a lot, which is a boost of confidence right there.
Some of the best things that he says to me have probably been the hardest to take,
like this is where you need to improve, specific things that when I first hear them I
get a little fired up. Overall, I appreciate his honestly and constructive criticism.
Last week, I went with Ray over to Volusia Speedway Park to watch the World of Outlaws.
I ran the whole tour in 2004. I went over there thinking I'm probably going to be
a little sad, especially with my old car over there.
When I first heard the cars on the track there was a part of me that went,
"Oh, man, I miss that." But as I walked around I realized I'm really happy
to be where I am. This is my challenge. This is what I want now. I realized,
"Here I am walking around the garage with Ray Evernham. Man, I have
come a long way!''
A funny thing happened another day when I had breakfast with Ray. Well,
it was funny to me. This guy came up and started talking to me, going, "Hey,
how's your car? What else are you doing this week?''
I don't know if he didn't see Ray or what, but he never said one thing to Ray,
like he wasn't there. I remember feeling funny about that.
I get recognized a little bit now. It always happens when I don't expect it.
Usually it happens when I'm at Starbucks in the morning and my hair is all
over the place. The first time it happened was last year after the Kentucky
ARCA race that I ran second in.
The next morning my mom came to visit me. I said, "I'll go get coffee.''
I looked like a disaster. I had this little beanie hat on. Well, I was putting cream
in my coffee and somebody was like, "Hey, great race last night!" I was, "Oh,
gosh, somebody recognized me.''
I had plans to go to Disney World with my family on Sunday, which was supposed
to be an off-day. But we had to cancel because the ARCA race was rained out on
Saturday and we had to race Sunday morning.
I was hoping to get some beach time, but not in this weather. It's been cold.
The best part of the week has been getting back in the car. It felt like I hadn't
been in a race for a long time. It felt really good to finish after not finishing the
last few races of last year. I would have liked to have finished better than I did
(15th), but it was more important to finish.
Bill Elliott once told me, you can't win a race until you finish it.
Everything else has been pretty routine. I was on Benny Parsons' show. I've
done some appearances for my sponsors. I don't mind doing those. They keep
your time occupied where you don't have to sit there and think about stuff.
My ultimate goal is to be successful at the Nextel Cup level. But I try not to
focus on that. That's down the road. I want to earn respect, earn my spot.

ERIN CROCKER

World of Outlaws racers have become collectively known as the best sprint
car racers in the world.

Enter Erin Crocker - a 23-year-old female racer from Buffalo, New York,
who hopes to open the doors for other women who want to enter the
male-dominated world of auto racing. On May 11, Crocker made her
appearance at K-C Raceway with the other World of Outlaw drivers,
finishing 17th in the 'Freedom 40.'
"I grew up at the race track. My father was into cars and my older
brothers all raced," said Crocker. "I guess I just wanted my turn."
Ironically, Crocker is now the only member of her family who is still
racing. Her father and brothers sometimes come to the track to help her.
(Photo by Gary Gold)Crocker began racing quarter midgets at the age of 7. She has raced
sprint cars for three years now, although this is in her first year in the
saddle of a 410 sprint car running on the World of Outlaws circuit. She is
currently driving the #16 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute J&J for car
owner Mike Woodring.
"I started following the series (World of Outlaws) two years ago when I
started racing in 360 sprints. This is where I wanted to go," said
Crocker. "We're under budget right now. We're struggling, but I'm doing
what I want to do."
Crocker is currently in 14th place in World of Outlaw Standings (June 15)
and is in the running for the World of Outlaws' 2004 Kevin Gobrect Rookie
of the Year Award.
If she does earn the Kevin Gobrect Award, it won't be the first time she
has earned rookie honors, as she received the Knoxville Nationals Rookie
of the Year award in 2003. Crocker also became the first female to qualify
for the Knoxville Nationals championship feature last August, finishing
22nd in the 30-lap race.
In 2003, Crocker also became the first driver - male or female - to
receive the National Sprint Car Poll Wild Card Awards for exciting sprint
car performances in the 360- and 410 cubic inch sprint car polls.
"I like the speed and competition of racing. I like every aspect really -
the people, challenges, and environment," she said.
Crocker feels that racing is truly her calling in life, but she hopes the
World of Outlaws will be a stepping stone to the next level. "I really
enjoy winged sprints, but I'd like to move onto pavement next and go into
NASCAR. That's where the money and fame is. This is something I'd always
want to do and I really like it," she said.
She does feel that her success will help other women interested in racing.
"If I can have some success, it should open some doors for other females
in racing. I think I'm a role model for younger girls. If it is your
dream and you are willing to work hard, go for it," stated Crocker.
"I played a lot of different sports, and at different times I had ideas
of going farther in certain sports. But I've always loved racing - the
competition, the speed, the people."
Some of her goals include winning a World of Outlaws feature race, being
in the top 10 in World of Outlaw points, and racing NASCAR long term.
Crocker says that surprising people thrills her the most. "They don't
really expect me come out here and do well in a fast car," she said.
The engine of a sprint car can be a maximum of 410 cubic inches. They are
fueled by methanol and range from 750 to 815 in horsepower, traveling up
to speeds of 150 miles per hour.
To learn more about Erin Crocker, visit her on the web at
www.erincrocker.com.

EDDIE SLONE

BY SCOTT WOLFE

Having the distinction of being just one of a few sprint car drivers from the state
of Kentucky, Ashland’s Eddie Slone carries the banner quite well. Slone, a Construction
planner by trade, lives a much faster paced life on the weekends.

The Ashland-Grayson area is a hot bed for stock car racing, but it also has
been a stomping ground of numerous open wheel greats. Racing 410 sprint
cars for just six years, Slone has been stepping up his program every year.
In 2002, he was a consistent top ten finisher and had several qualifying runs
in the eleven second bracket. 2003 maybe Slone’s breakout year.

At 42, many driver’s are winding down their careers, but Slone’s career is
definitely on the upswing. Getting a late start in the world’s most powerful race cars,
Slone has had experience in other areas of racing.

He ran motocross for two years, go-carts for five years, and mini-sprints for five years.
His next move was the jump to the 410’s. Many drivers have made the jump from mini’s
to the potent big brother sprint car, but few stick around. Slone is going to go the distance
and finish the best he can each week as he seeks his first-ever feature win.

And as he puts it, “I have no 410 feature wins, YET!” with emphasis on the “yet”.
He also says his greatest moments in racing are yet to come. Slone does have numerous
heat wins and was very much a factor on a weekly basis during the 2002 season.

Eddie has had several motocross wins, and wins in go-carts and mini-sprints. 410
sprints provided the next logical step up the ladder. He and friend Billy Jarrell, still
a sponsor on the car in B & J Contracting, came up from mini-sprints together and
initially shared seat time until each acquired their own car.

Slone’s equipment is always well-groomed first class. His #4x is an ‘02 Eagle
chassis, powered by a P.T.I. engine built by Randy McDowell. Crew members are Mike
Gillam, Jason Jones, and Al Caproni along with his 8-year old daughter Hannah.

Slone is married to wife Teresa.

Sponsors on the 4x are Discovery Toys, Helton Auto Supply, B & J Contracting,
PRO wing, and Power Tech, Inc.

How did Slone get interested in the sport? He says he was always interested in
racing, but the now defunct Checkered Flag Speedway was right behind his house,
so he decided to check it out he quickly got the racing bug.

Why does he like to race? Slone laughed, “I really haven’t figured that one out yet.”

His worst night in racing came on August 16, 1998 at K-C Raceway when he was
involved in a horrific crash that left him with a badly broken leg.

Eddie spends much of his time on the K-C high banks, but also is not afraid to travel.
His favorite tracks are Portsmouth, Cleveland Tennessee, Elkin North Carolina’s Friendship Speedway.

When not racing, which is obviously what takes up much of his time, he likes spending
time with his family and listening to Country or Bluegrass music.

His personal vehicles are a Yukon, Pontiac Bonneville, and a Chevy Pick-up.

Look for Eddie Slone to put together an even better year in 2003 as he seeks his first win.

JASON MONTGOMERY

By Scott Wolfe

The Jackson, Ohio area has become a hot bed of racing over the past several years,
turning out several hard-charging drivers, many of which compete on the high banks
of K-C Raceway near Chillicothe, Ohio. One reason might be a reflection of the school
mascot- Ironmen. Twenty-eight year-old Jason Montgomery is one such driver cast
in the mold of the Jackson Ironmen.

Driving the Montgomery Machine Fabrication #21 Rocket Chassis late model,
Montgomery put together a very good 2002 season, winning several features and
establishing himself as a threat to win any time he hits the track!

Montgomery is tough every time out. There is not much feathering of the throttle
for this hot shoe. He likes to have the hammer down.

Montgomery’s mount is powered by a 430 Cropper Chevrolet Racing Engine,
fitted to a 1999 Rocket. Besides the Montgomery Fabricating banner, Montgomery’s
car is sponsored by Baisden Plumbing, Monroe’s Collision, and M & J Rentals.

Starting out in the modifieds, Montgomery enjoyed success there before moving up to
late models. He has been a driver for seven years, but prior to that he honed his
competitive skills on a Motocross bike. He competed on various motocross circuits for
8 years before moving to the four wheeled machines.

Jason likes the competition, but with the powerful engines under the hood and the intense
competition, he says, “I mainly like to race for the adrenaline rush!”

Although still young in the racing circles, and just seven years into his career, Montgomery
is not just a local hobbyist. He has raced at many different venues from north to south,
and proclaims that K-C Raceway, Bulls Gap Tennessee, and Tampa, Florida’s East Bay
Raceway are his favorite tracks.

At mid-season Montgomery had three feature wins to his credit, but added a few more
to the list later in the year. His favorite moment in racing was his first K-C Raceway win,
which also was his first-ever win.

In 2002 Tim Haynes, Pops, Richard Baisden, Todd Bachtel, and Mellissa Bachtel were
Jason’s crew members.

Besides racing, Jason who is single, likes fishing, but admits that racing is his top choice.
Additionally, he likes any music with a beat, and his personal vehicles are Ford’s.

Nick Naber...."On the edge, and on the throttle"!

By Scott Wolfe 

"On the edge, and on the throttle"! That is the best way to describe this second
generation race driver Nick Nabor. That combination has produced a winning combination
and consistent top-five team at K-C Raceway near Chillicothe, Ohio. The year-and-half
old racing team of Nick Nabor and car owner Billy Jarrell have used that formula to
become one of the top teams in the Tri-State area and one of the better teams in the Midwest.

Throttle down, arms sawing on the steering wheel, and rooster tails flying,
Nick Naber’s hard-charging is indeed on the edge. He likes the cushion, way high
on the cushion....on the very edge. He likes the momentum, and he likes the speed.
Nick is the racing fan’s driver, fun and exciting. No boredom from this hot shoe, just sheer excitement.

Nick Naber started out his racing career like many others-racing go karts. In 1992,
his first full year racing for Appco, Nick was crowned W.K.A. national champion in
the 100cc go kart class. Nick, however, like his father Nick Naber, had sprintcar
racing in his blood, and in 1994 the duo purchased all the equipment needed to start racing 410 sprints.

Although Nick Naber still races with the hammer down, Nick has become a little
more conservative and more consistent. Last year produced several wins for the
team and this year has seen similar success with one feature win at K-C in 2002.
Similar success came in what Nick calls one of his "greatest accomplishments"
and also proudest moments-when he beat some of the top World of Outlaws in a
heat race at Eldora.

His worst moments? Nick grins, "my flips".

Nick's versatility over the last few years has allowed him to win multiple
wing and non-wing sprint features. Unlike some drivers who specialize in
either the wing or no-wing, Nick is talented at both. His recent success has
brought four winged wins and two non-winged wins.

Nick says, "One of my greatest moments came when I got the chance to race for
Billy Jarrell. I think this team will continue to get better as we learn various set-ups
we need and what adjustments we have to make."

Another great moment for Nick was his first-ever feature win. Known in his
earlier years as the driver of the blue Appco #6, Nick has now found a home
in the Jarrell #22. Billy Jarrell, owner of B & J Contracting and Welding, was
a former driver up until the 2001 season. For several years, he fielded two cars;
one that he drove and another for Mike Bowling.

During his driving years, Jarrell did a very credible job for getting a late start
in the open wheelers. But Jarrell gets just as much satisfaction in seeing his
cars win. Then came Nick Naber and the victories followed.

Currently, Nick Naber, age 27, is just coming into his own. Even better years
are on the horizon. Married to Melissa, Nick races out of Cincinnati, Ohio and
has been in racing as a driver for 13 years, seven in a sprint.

Nick’s number 22 is a 2002 Eagle Wide body with Bill Jarrell, Gary, Jerry,
and Dad Nick as crewmen. Besides B & J Contracting, sponsorship comes from
J.W. Leasing, and Mine Equipment Repair.

A union electrician by trade, Nick prefers life in the fast lane. He enjoys working
on race cars as his main hobby, and became interested in the sport while growing
up watching races at Lawrenceburg, Indiana. There too he watched his father,
a non-winged veteran rub wheels with some of the best in racing.

Why does Nick race? "I like the challenge".

Nick’s favorite tracks include K-C Raceway and Eldora.

One of the most amicable driver’s on the circuit, Nick always takes time for the fans.
He has a great sense of humor and enjoys a good laugh or two, but when its race time,
he is stone-faced serious, thinking about the job at hand and just how much speed the
car can take before it crosses over that fine line of a cushion. There he is an expert,
one of the best. That takes talent.

When not racing Nick drives a Ford truck and enjoys listening to any type of music.
On the track though he’s not the average guy, but a dirt track hero; on the gas and on the edge.

K-C's Dusty Heroes

Assistant Flagman Kenny Blade and Flagman Daryl Owen

All-Star Champion and former track record holder Kenny Jacobs

Bud Frazier Feature

By Scott Wolfe

CHILLICOTHE, OHIO-Southern Ohio racing fans hear the name
Bud Frazier and they associate his name with two things: winning
and being a great guy. At age 67, Bud Frazier has been racing for
41 years, yet he is in good physical shape and could easily pass for
someone in their 40’s. Most of all he drives more like a middle-aged
professional, rather than someone who retired five years ago.
Bud (laughing) kids that people ask him what he does now and he
says, "I race for a living."
How does it feel to be driving in 2002? Bud says, "It feels good, really good!"

Bud now drives the #9B 2001 Boss Chassis owned by his son Mark Frazier.
The car is powered by a 421 Doc Moss Racing Engine.
Car owner and son Mark Frazier said, "This winter Dad was thinking
about getting another modified after he sold his car. We had one car
(Mark’s late model) race-ready and 90 percent of another car, so I
thought we might as well put the money in a late model and go racing."
Actually Bud planted the seed for the two car team, saying to Mark,
"Why don’t I just drive one of your cars?" And the rest is history.
Mark continued, "Dad and I raced together and against one-another
in the 1980’s and that was a great experience. Then in 1998 he drove
one of my cars five or six times when his modified was in the shop. He
won a feature one of those nights, so this winter we thought about the
coming season and said, ‘why not?’ "
Bud Frazier has won in Sprint cars, Supermodifieds, Stock Cars, modifieds,
and Late Models. One of his most memorable moments was setting fast time
in the "Little Indy 500" . Bud has had equally great success on both asphalt
and dirt because of his smooth driving style.
"I think much of my success and Mark’s success is attributed to our driving
style. We are momentum and rhythm type drivers. When the track
gets dry-slick that is our type of track."
Bud has spent most of the last six years in modifieds winning a couple
championships and 55 features in all, with over 300 victories in all divisions.
He has won championships in the Late Models as well.
One of the biggest changes the elder Frazier has seen over the years is the
development of the race cars. "It’s really a science today," says Bud.
"You used to just go to the junk yard and build a car, then get in it and go."
"Today the cars are just so much better. The biggest thing I see is in the
horsepower and the car’s ability to get ahold of the track."
Although Bud has won a feature already this season, he is most proud
of the fact that he has finished all but one race, and of the night when
he started 16th and finished third. "I love passing cars and that night
was about as fast as I’ve ever driven. I just got a lot out of that race."
Wife Mary would just as soon that Bud would hand up the helmet, but
Bud says he will keep going as long as he is having fun and is still
competitive. In fact, Mark has offered to again make a car available for
the 2003 racing season.
Bud, however, said, "I keep sayin’ I’m gonna quit, but Mark says I’ll
always have a car. It costs Mark a lot to have two race cars. If anyone
out there has a first-rate race car, I am looking for a ride. I will drive for
someone else in a late model if I have the opportunity."
Helping Bud maintain the car are Mark and also Rex Smith who set up
the car, former driver Carl Coleman, and Corey Williams.
Some of the sponsors include PLR Designs and Taylor’s IGA.
Bud enjoys the fans, the competition, and the fun times with the other
competitors at the track. If you get a chance stop by the Frazier pit and say
"hello" and you are sure to get a smile and a wave from this ageless driver
and legend of the Ohio Valley.

Above: Bud in the Bare 77 and after setting fast time in the "Little Indy 500"

at Anderson, Indiana on the asphalt.

Bud Frazier is still going strong and is a top five finisher nearly every week.

How much longer can he go? Not until his secret to staying young runs

out and that won’t happen anytime soon.

Chick Clark........ 

Wellston, Ohio-At 69 years of age, most men are content to be in their rocking
chairs or close to the local fishing hole, but not Chick Clark . This racing veteran
of 46 years is still out in the fast lane. Heck, Chick Clark has raced longer
than the average fan is old.

          He raced his first race at age 23 at the Portsmouth Dragstrip in 1954
and has had some type of race car ever since. Although he still had a race
car, in 2000 and 2001, Chick did not race. He faced another challenge,
one much tougher in the race of life. He had cancer; cancer so bad that
the outlook for survival was slim. Against all odds, Chick Clark accepted
the challenge and won.
"I had cancer and I won," grinned Clark as if he had just won the night’s
feature. "I beat it. I m glad to be back at the track and glad to be back in
the driver s seat," Many may know Chick Clark as the oldest brother to
driver of the #1-c car, veteran racer Don Clark, who himself is no spring
chicken at age 58. Brother Bobby Clark also has been involved in racing
as team mechanic for many years.
Chick Clark is the driver of the #8 late Model, a 1997 Rocket Chassis
powered by a Clark-built 406 Chevrolet. .
Chick is currently retired and his favorite track is K-C Raceway. The car
is sponsored by Don’s Body Shop, Ohio Jewelry, and C & M Pool Room
all in Wellston, Ohio. His main crewman is Mac Sperry.
Chick has been retired now for several years, and is unmarried. Racing has
been and continues to be his love and favorite hobby. Chick has driven stock
cars, hobby stocks, sprint cars (even at age 63), drag cars, and late models. "

NEW RICHMOND, OHIO-When Roy Salt, the veteran K-C Raceway announcer
blares his voice across the airwaves, nothing seems out of the ordinary when he says,
"And now out in the car #4 from New Richmond, Ohio is Jo Gundler." But when
Gundler climbs from the number 4 modified, every one takes notice for Jo is not
the typical driver, she is a stunning young woman racing in a man’s world.
Gundler‚ currently a bartender by trade, drives a modified number four powered
by a David Porter racing engine, a 400 Chevrolet. Crew members for the car are

Jerry Porter, Jerry Lynn, and Bill Lynn. The car is sponsored by Clearport Auto
Sales, Home Team Inspection Services, The Beer Sellar, Comey and Shepherd Realtors.
Besides auto racing, ‚ Jo enjoys playing the guitar, softball, and boating. Gundler’s
personal preference of music is Rock and her personal vehicle is a 2002
Chevy Z21 Pick-up truck .
Her greatest moment in racing so far has been going three-wide into turn two at
K-C Raceway, and as she puts it, I came out first in that group for third place
and was gaining on the leaders. That was a great feeling! Then the engine broke."
Gundler, always interested in the sport, decided to drive last year after her family
involvement in the sport for over 30-years. I grew up with it," she says.
"It’s a lot of fun! Gundler says of racing. "That is when everything works right!"
Individual accomplishments throughout the progression of her career were improved
lap times each week, improved track position, and then being able to run
door-to-door at speed. "Accomplishments? pauses Gundler to think, "I really
haven’t gotten that far yet, but I’m working on it."
On the downside, Gundler was initiated early to that dark side of auto racing
when in the season opener she flipped end-for-end off the backchute at K-C.
Luckily, she was only shaken but uninjured.
Like any driver, Gundler is working her way to the top and according to the
other drivers she is accepted well and just "one of the guys", another worthy
competitor on the track. The future of this young driver looks to be on the
upswing with some victories on the horizon."

Jeff Houser ...
CHILLICOTHE, OHIO-For over a quarter of a century, the name Houser and
Chillicothe area auto racing have been synonymous. Jeff Houser, the driver of
the #99 2001 Rocket Chassis Late Model has been driving for the past 28 years.
He was the 1988 K-C track champion and the 1989 Southern Ohio Champion
with an overall 52 feature wins to his credit.

"Puttin' the hammer down and backin' it in hard" are two Houser traits.
That and a string of victory lane visits over a long and storied racing career.
Although Jeff is most noted for driving the #99 Late Model he has earned respect
in the racing community for driving any type of race car and doing well. 
He has driven and won in modifieds (1994 and 1995) and drove the Charlie
Brown sprinter full time in 1994. His sprint car driving and his ability to get
out and travel are reflections of his courage and his abilities.
He won his first feature in 1982 in the 6-cylinder division at K-C Raceway and
has been winning every since. Not only is Jeff a common fixture at K-C, but
also his family is as well. His family has always been very supportive and is part
of a huge following that cheers him on throughout the season.
Married to wife Stacee, Jeff has a daughter Riley age eight. He is self-employed
in the Auto and Truck Repair business with father Fuzz Houser, thus the
moniker of Fuzz Houser and Sons Auto and Truck Repair.
Jeff's 200 Rocket is powered by a 410 Bruce Hogue Racing Engine and is
maintained by himself and crew members Mike Short, Sr. and Mike Short, Jr.,
Mike Howard, and Fuzz Houser.
When Houser is at the track, race fans know it. He is a smooth, but aggressive
driver that likes to run with the hammer down. That combination produces
unequalled excitement and often a trip to victory lane. Says Jeff, "I like to drive
the car wide open," a style that both he and race fans enjoy.
The Houser team has run with the STARS and earlier with the touring All-Stars,
while also enjoying many successful visits to Northern Ohio at Eldora, Attica, and
Millstream Speedways. In addition to driving duties, Houser has served as car
owner, car builder, and sponsor for many years and often offers a helping hand
to fellow racers, building and repairing cars and offering set-up advice.
When he is not racing, Jeff enjoys Boating, swimming, and bowling. he became
interested in racing because he was around it all of his life, and at an early age
he established a goal to become a driver. His first victory was what Jeff calls
"his greatest moment in racing", a win that came in the 6-cylinder division at K-C,
then Atomic Speedway.
His biggest disappointment also came at K-C in 1996 when he came across the
finish line first in the $2,000 to win Coca-Cola Race and was found to be seven
pounds too light at the scales.
Houser's favorite tracks are Eldora, K-C, and Attica.
On the personal side Jeff owns and drives a Ford F250 Four-wheel drive and a 1992
Camaro. His music of choice is AC/DC. A touch of hard rock and a touch of hard driving
make Jeff one of K-C's fan favorites.

8-17-02 Winners..... Rob Chaney, and Mark Frazier